Abstract

Background Lung function has an important role in taking oxygen through blood vessels throughout the body including the brain so that the brain's ability to work in a long time also becomes better. The ability of the brain at work can affect learning achievement in students. Patients with asthma who have a low Peak Expiratory Flow Rate are absent from school more often and have low academic achievement. Objective To determine the association between Peak Expiratory Flow Rate and cognitive academic achievement in children aged 10-12 years. Methods This study used cross-sectional design with Chi-Square test conducted to students in SD Tandang 01, Semarang (n = 176 students) in April 2015. The measurement of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate used Peak Flow Meter in liter/minute. Academic achievement was measured from the average mark of the first semester transcript. Results There were 85 male students (48.3%) and 91 female students (51.7%). The median of students' heights was (median, min-max) 139 cm, 118-159 cm. The median of students' PEFR was (median, min-max) 250 L/min, 120-480 L/min. The median of students' academic achievements was (median, min-max) 71.5; 46-83. The prevalence of asthma in children aged 10-12 years was 11.4% . There was no significant association between PEFR and cognitive academic achievement in children aged 10-12 years (p = 0.099). There was significant association between Peak expiratory flow rate and cognitive academic achievement in girls (p = 0.004). Conclusions There was no significant association between PEFR and cognitive academic achievement in children aged 10-12 years, while there was significant association between PEFR and cognitive academic achievement in girls.
Key words Peak expiratory flow rate, cognitive academic achievement, asthma